Event Dates
From: Wednesday, October 1, 2025
To: Friday, October 31, 2025
In Jalisco, the city of Guadalajara celebrates their passion for music, culture, art, sports & gastronomy throughout October.
In Jalisco, the city of Guadalajara celebrates their passion for music, culture, art, sports and gastronomy throughout October. Choose from more than 20 musical and cultural shows plus exhibits, culinary spaces and a wide variety of endless fun.
- Are you visiting Guadalajara? The Central or eastern area of Zona Centro makes the perfect base to explore the city. It is full of pedestrian-only streets, charming hotels, and feels safe. The DoubleTree by Hilton Guadalajara Centro Historico is rated fabulous and has a wide range of breakfast options, rooms with great views and high-end amenities.
The Festival
- Next Edition: October 1st to October 31st, 2025.
- Each year has a unique theme, and there are plenty of free events to see and so much great food to try! The month ends with the fantastic spectacle of the Day of the Dead celebration.
The Original Procession – Romería De La Virgen De Zapopan
- On October 12, a procession honouring Our Lady of Zapopan celebrates the feast day of the Virgin of Zapopan. Around dawn, her small, dark figure begins the 5-hour ride from the Cathedral of Guadalajara to the suburban Basilica of Zapopan.
- The original icon dates from the mid-1500s; the procession began 200 years later. Today, crowds spend the night along the route and vie for position as the Virgin approaches. She travels in a gleaming new car (virginal, in that it must never have had the ignition turned on), which her caretakers pull through the streets.
Other activities and parades
- The celebration has grown into a month-long event, Fiestas de Octubre, which kicks off with an enormous parade, usually on the first Sunday or Saturday of the month. Festivities include performing arts, charreadas (rodeos), bullfights, art exhibits, regional dancing, a food fair, and a Day of Nations incorporating all the consulates in Guadalajara.
- Events take place across the city at various locations. Several of the concerts are held in the Benito Juárez auditorium with a capacity of 10,000 people.
Day of the Dead Festivities in Guadalajara
- The festival of October ends with the Day of the dead celebrations. Guadalajara is considered the cultural hub of Mexico, and there are several scheduled festivities for Dia de Los Muertos.
- Calaverandia – Described as a “new dramatically designed theme park reminiscent of the award-winning movie Coco”, where you can explore more than 20 different attractions. Highlights include the Underworld forest, the interactive cemetery, and the trajinera boat rides on the lake. Don’t miss the light and sound show that explains the meaning of Dia de Los Muertos.
- Tlaquepaque – Vibrant neighbourhood and host to all of the Dia de Los Muertos celebrations starting in the afternoon and continuing late into the night. The cobblestone streets are full of trendy shops, food booths and bars offering tasty tequila cocktails. Don’t miss the “Catrina Bridal Parade”! It’s equal parts terrifying and mesmerizing! It’s set up like a full-on fashion show, except the participants dress up in their best bridal wear and skull faces!
Gay Events during the Fiestas de Octubre
- Fiestas de Octubre brings hundreds of thousands of people to the city, and the city’s gay bars swell with visitors, especially on parade day and during the weekends. Most of the bars host theme nights and parties during the festivities.
- Stay close to the beautiful historic centre close to the Guadalajara Cathedral, and you are just a short ride from both neighbourhoods. The 3-star, Six Hotel Guadalajara Degollado offers excellent value and modern rooms in the centre. Try the 4-star Hotel Morales for something more colonial in a historic building with a beautiful pool in the heart of the downtown area.
Gay Guadalajara
- The gayest city in Mexico, Guadalajara, has two gay neighbourhoods, one in the historic centre and one in the Zona Rosa. The city has a huge gay culture and has remained authentic as it is often missed by tourists who shuttle between Mexico City and Puerto Vallarta.
- Centro Historico is popular with locals, and the atmosphere spills out onto the pedestrian streets at night. Drinks are cheap, and the atmosphere is friendly, if not downright cruisy and very authentic. Most of the activities here happen at night.
- The other hot spot is the upscale neighbourhood of the Zona Rosa (around Av Chapultepec). Here the gay bars and clubs tend to be larger, and drinks prices are higher. Venues are busy during the day and night with lots of bars with outdoor patios, larger discos and shops.
Gay Bars & Clubs in Guadalajara
Guadalajara boasts over 15 gay bars, saunas and clubs. Hare are some of the most popular:
- California’s bar – Fun bar with an eclectic mix of clientele and sexy gogos, hot guys and Latin pop.
- Babel Club – One of the best clubs in the city, hosting regular theme nights and pride parties, drag shows & dancing.
- Cabaret Bar – Trendy bar with several shows – reserve to get on the entry list ahead of time as it can fill up fast.
- El Arenal – Cruising Club with darkroom, sauna, video rooms and more.
- Renacer Day Spa – Gay Sauna with massage service and weekend pool parties.
Recommended Hotels
Here are the hotels we recommend with good reviews, close to all the action:
Hotel Casino Plaza, Hotel Real Maestranza, Hotel de Mendoza, Hotel Dali Plaza Executive
Where to stay close to all the gay bars
Our top 4 selections with the best rates.
Real Maestranza is were we stay when we
are in Guadalajara next to the gay bars
For more information and advice on
Fiestas de Octubre, Visit Facebook
C. Pedro Moreno 570, Zona Centro, 44100 Guadalajara, Jal., Mexico
This 4-star hotel is just a 3 minute walk from the Guadalajara Cathedral. Hotel Dali Plaza Ejecutivo features an on-site lounge, free Wi-Fi, a buffet breakfast and air conditioned rooms. Guest rooms include cable TV and a work desk. Free local telephone calls can be made from every room. Each room provides a private bathroom, and room service
Calle Venustiano Carranza 16, Zona Centro, 44100 Guadalajara, Jal., Mexico
Located in the charming historic district of Guadalajara, Mexico, the Hotel de Mendoza offers guests a peaceful setting while exploring the attractions of this historic city. Guests can take advantage of Hotel de Mendoza’s inviting pool with hot tub, or get fit in the exercise center. The Restaurant offers guests fine Mexican and international cuisine
Calle Francisco I. Madero 161, Zona Centro, 44100 Guadalajara, Jal., Mexico
The accommodation features a 24-hour front desk, airport transfers, room service and free WiFi throughout the property. At the hotel every room is fitted with air conditioning, a seating area, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a safety deposit box and a private bathroom with a shower, a hairdryer and a coffee machine.
C. Pedro Moreno 726, Zona Centro, 44100 Guadalajara, Jal., Mexico
The hotel features 303 luxurious rooms with traditional and modern decor as well as elegant and classic furnishings. All rooms features a flat-screen TV, a safety deposit box, an air condition unit and first-class toiletries from Aigner. Guests are welcome to enjoy an exquisite and delicate breakfast served at the hotel restaurant Hofgarten.
Address: Calle Enrique González Martínez 216, Zona Centro, 44100 Guadalajara, Jal., Mexico
Address: Calle Prisciliano Sánchez 437, Zona Centro, 44100 Guadalajara,
Address: C. Morelos 741, Zona Centro, 44100 Guadalajara, Jal., Mexico
Address: Av. de la Paz 2315, Col Americana, Lafayette, 44160 Guadalajara
Address: Calle Enrique González Martínez 177, Zona Centro, 44100 Guadalajara
Address: C. Manuel López Cotilla 611, Mexicaltzingo, 44100 Guadalajara
Address: Calle Enrique González Martínez 454, Zona Centro, 44100 Guadalajara
Address: Av. Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla 977, Col Americana, Zona Centro
Address: C. Mexicaltzingo 1521, Col Americana, Americana, 44160
Address: Av 8 de Julio 652, Zona Centro, 44100 Guadalajara, Jal., Mexico
Address: C. Colón 440, Zona Centro, 44100 Guadalajara, Jal., Mexico
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